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Levangie tabbed as Sox's new bullpen coach

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By Evan Drellich

BOSTON -- The Red Sox's new bullpen coach is somebody who has already spent loads of time in the Fenway 'pen.

Dana Levangie, 43, was Boston's bullpen catcher for eight years, the last of which culminated in the 2004 World Series title. Levangie became a Major League advance scout for the team in '06, and that was the role he carried into Tuesday, when he was announced as manager John Farrell's replacement for retiring bullpen coach Gary Tuck.

"We are extremely pleased to add Dana to the Major League staff," Farrell said in a news release. "He has been a valuable asset to the Red Sox in a variety of roles, and his vast knowledge of the Major Leagues, particularly the American League, will enable him to make an impact on our staff and with our bullpen."

Levangie is not giving up his old job fully: he's going to continue to assist with advance scouting. In a Spring Training that will be full of new faces, Levangie will be unknown to some, but he still brings a level of familiarity an outside candidate couldn't.

Born in Whitman, Mass., and currently an East Bridgewater, Mass., resident, Levangie has 22 years in the game, all in the Sox's system. Boston selected him in the 14th round of the 1991 First-Year Player Draft, and he reached as high as Triple-A Pawtucket in his six seasons as a player. In 1997, he became a Major League bullpen catcher.

Levangie graduated from Whitman-Hanson High School and attended both Cape Cod Community College and American International College in Springfield, Mass.

Tuck retired last week after six seasons with the Red Sox. Minor League catching coordinator Chad Epperson was also in the mix for the job.

Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.